"Life is not a problem to be solved, nor a question to be answered. Life is a mystery to be experienced." ~ Alan Watts

Welcome: An Introduction

Sharing the insights I discover as I explore and experience the mystery that is our reality. Join me in my journey and share yours.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Crabgrass and Oak Trees (Book Review)

The book Crabgrass and Oak Trees asks the question, "Is the Church more like Crabgrass, or an Oak Tree?" exploring popular conceptions with biblical reality into what the Church really is. It encourages readers to stretch their imaginations and embrace biblical truths as the writers use real life anecdotes and scripture to draw a beautiful image of the church in the form of crabgrass.

I have to admit, when I first read the title I was quick to take the side of the oak tree. It's very image invokes ideas of strength and stature. I have long envisioned a church as being one that is proudly erected on a hilltop, towering above the town it inhabits, and a noted feature of its surrounding landscape. After just reading a few short pages I realized my folly and the writers struck a deep chord within me that has always longed for a far more deeper and profound experience of Church. One that speaks of community and a vision that far exceeds the walls of any one building.

The content of the book flows well and naturally evolves as the reader is taken deeper and deeper into what Church really means for the Christian. It is a refreshing source of encouragement and inspiration for those who have struggled inwardly with the true definition of the Church. Quickly discarded is the image of the oak tree as the crabgrass is explained. Local churches, existing to glorify God and not themselves are to function as like a node (connection point) on a blade of crabgrass, interconnected with the rest of the body of Christ, receiving nourishment from other nodes and, in turn, nourishing other nodes, spurring on growth and vitality in a vast network of believers. Such a network, using the illustration of crabgrass, is known as a rhizome. Each blade, interconnected with every other blade, is wholly dependent on Christ. Together, embracing one another's diversity and growing spiritual roots that are deep, the church spreads itself in the form of love over expansive areas.

The writers describe the growth of the church this way:

When Crabgrass is introduced to an area where it has never been, it takes over. We should do the same. Not a hostile takeover, not by cramming our religion down someone's throat, but by simply being. By allowing the nutrients of our King to flow through our body and infect the soil around us until it begins springing forth with life from within. Jesus said He reconciles to Himself all things, and as we are introduced to a new community, a new soil, He begins this process. Reconciling, bringing, drawing Himself to Himself. p. 132

The authors express the beauty of the rhizome as functioning this way: "It causes us to love Christ, because it allows us to see Christ." When, as a body of Christ, we start stepping past our comfort zones, seeking God's glory for God's glory alone and are inspired to be like the great men and women of scripture that God provides us as examples, we truly begin to manifest God's Kingdom here on earth.

This book would be a benefit and blessing for any member of the Body, whether leader or layman, to read. You can check out the third chapter free here: http://rhizomepublishing.com/free-chapter/ Keep an eye out, for in the near future I will be having the opportunity to interview one of the authors! I look forward to sharing that interview with the rest of you! If you have any questions you think you'd like to ask the author, ask them in the comments section below. I'll choose the best ones to include in my interview!

This would not be a book that i would normally be attracted to when in my book store. Of course i'm normally in the personal development section.

Your review does though make me intriqued to take a look inside. I find the name facinating, and original. You have made me understand the reasoning behind it.

I love the quote "We should do the same. Not a hostile takeover, not by cramming our religion down someone's throat, but by simply being".In just one line there offers enough unique richness and intrique to make make me ask to learn more.

I think the way in which these writers wrote this book will speak to a diversity of readers, even those who normally wouldn't be attracted to the topics of theology and religion.Thank you so much for your thoughts. I love that line too!~blessings

This sounds like a very interesting book. The crabgrass analogy reminds me of the early church that sprung up after Jesus returned to the Father. The disciples spread out and formed temples to Jesus in neighboring kingdoms in order to spread the "Good News". Christians could always be taken in by other christians if far away lands. I would be interested in reading this.

As one who doesn't appreciate organized religion (and there's much to be said aboutthat..I can see some of your points) I can see why you might interpret it that way. In the past, the vision of the church has been maligned and abused by the selfishness and evil nature of man. The writers in this book restore it's vision from a biblical perspective and seek to manifest God's love...it's that growth ...that they talk about. And I think there's nothing more beautiful than love being spread around :)~blessings

You bring up a great point and one in which the writers illustrate and expand on in the book. They bring up the point that God transplants blades of the rhizome, like he did in the church's early history, even today to His glory and how we all need to be attentive and obedient to the whispers of His Spirit when he calls us to step beyond our comfort zones and expand His Kingdom.

I’ve always viewed the church as an oak tree too, based on several scriptures like this one: “…that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3.

And Psalm 1:3…. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

The metaphor of the church as crabgrass, however, is an interesting one that would indeed stretch the imagination and serve to expand the kingdom of God on earth. How did this vision of crabgrass come about?

Thanks Jessica, sounds like a book I'll have to read. Reminds me a bit of the Parable of the Mustard Seed and how we are to spread like 'contagion' passing the message from one to another and slowly taking over the whole garden. I'll add this to me 'to-read' list!

Susan- No. No background in Botany...however the first time I was invited to speak on this subject was in Edinburgh, Scotland...to a group of botanists and gardeners...we found out right away if our analogy would hold up.Debra- The picture came about as we drove through the tornado torn Kansas and saw the highway littered with Oak Trees...but crabgrass, despised pestilence and weed, flourishing.

@ jonathan - what a lesson... the oak trees down, but the crabgrass flourishing! That explains everything. Now I'm sold on Crabgrass and Oak Trees. Very much enjoyed the 2 chapters I've read, and looking forward to the whole book.

This sounds like a good book for me to get my sis or mother! I find it funny they chose crab grass for their analogy though. The way they describe it is great, but I work for a landscaping company. When people get crab grass they hate it... and they have to rip out their whole lawn and some of the soil to get rid of it. Hmmmm... on second thought. Perhaps it's the perfect analogy! LOL.

Jonathan and Aaron - I read Jessica's review and then went to the sample chapter. I absolutely love what I read! Let me tell you that we have neither oak trees or crabgrass in India (or not as far as my knowledge goes, at least) so the analogy is not easy to grasp immediately. However, this is something that so resonates with me...Many years back, I read an extract from a book that I think was called the God of the Marketplace (not too sure) that was on similar lines...Taking Christ out of the cathedrals and bringing him to the 'market place' - among the people. The elderly gentleman that the young couple encountered was truly the Fifth Gospel...living and walk the talk. Your book is very relevant and meaningful and Jessica has done a great review!

I have to agree with A ... I saw cancer... though your writing intrigued me...I am a Christian and do have a church... but this reminded me of the church I left...very large "seeker" church... evangelistic..and they spread like weeds...brought the flowers in and left them with no where to grow...Thank you for the review...As always...XOXOXO

"Not a hostile takeover, not by cramming our religion down someone's throat, but by simply being. "And doing. Leading by example.Interesting book- I may never read it myself, but your review has brought thoughts and ideas to my mind.

This is an AMAZINGLY apt analogy/description of why I've NEVER felt comfortable going to any type of church service. I believe the Church as it stands now regardless of your faith or denomination is NOT what Jesus or God foresaw. The Church sees humanity as damaged, sinful needing to be saved.

I'm reading Neale Donald Walsch's Conversation With God at the moment and this is something Walsch brings up and something I've believed for as long as I've been this time around. That we are ALREADY ARE saved.

God is NOT vengeful. He is NOT to be feared.God is Love!

Unfortunately The Church can NOT and would NOT survive this paradigm shift. The Church survives by control, by keeping its subjects fearful. I cannot abide that. I find my relationship w/the Divine/God/Higher Power whatever much more sustainable having a personal relationship, carrying on a conversation when I see fit; which is pretty much ALL the time. God is my friend, my protector, my savior.

I have to be honest with you Jessica that I am now following the free thinker way of religion.... I am a Christian too but over the years I have widened perspective in what I believe in and support every kind of religion... Frankly speaking, I am not fond of this kind of read but your review had me reading anyway.... Great job! :)

ahh, shoot Jessica, I had a really long post and it went away before I could save it:( Now, I can't remember everything I wrote.Great review, leaving me with many thoughts regarding churches. Good challenge:)

...i have been reflecting on this for a couple of days now and wouldn't want to comment on it quickly... i also think it would be good reading the whole book first to make my reflections complete...;)

anyhow, on similar thoughts regarding our Mother Church... i was brought to reflect on St. Luke's passage on chapter 9,49-50... more often than not, we think that the church is "exclusively" ours... this hinders the branches to spread readily...

this is also similar to "charisma"...my spiritual director would often refer to "suffocation of the Holy Spirit" because we forget about the Head, Christ, and function only as hands and feet...

the Lord also uses similar analogies to soil and seeds... we could easily relate to this ...

Finding Serenity at the Center

"Over the margins of life comes a whisper, a faint call, a premonition of richer living which we know we are passing by. We have hints that there is a way of life vastly richer and deeper than all of this hurried existence, a life of unhurried serenity and peace and power. If only we could slip over into that Center! If only we could find the Silence which is the source of that sound!"